HEALTH COACHING

Monday, April 8, 2013

MEATLESS MONDAY: SEATTLE FOOD

Roasted Carrot-Parmesan Grits Autumn Vegetables, Crisp Sage

Happy Monday! I've been working all weekend and even volunteered to work Monday. We're also attending a concierge event/party right after work at Red Eye Grill so that should be fun. Then I have hot yoga scheduled for the rest of the week. It's good to be back in regular yoga schedule so thanks to my yoga studio for giving me an amazing deal ($99 for two months of unlimited yoga! They really wanted me back!). Anyways, this Meatless Monday's theme is food I ate in Seattle.

Crispy "Truffles" Yukon Potato, Truffle Cheese, Truffle Aioli

As I mentioned before the first night we arrived we just ordered room service since the flight had tired us out. Our hotel had a restaurant Sazerak that offered 24 hour room service. I had no idea what grits were, but ordered it anyway (in first photo) since I've never had it in my life. Wasn't too crazy about it even the veggies were good. Grits refers to a ground-corn food of Native American origin, that is common in the Southern United States. Grits are similar to other thick maize-based porridges from around the world such as polenta or the thinner farina. I also got their Crispy "Truffles" made of Yukon potatoes, truffle cheese served with truffle aioli.

The second day I found this gorgeous restaurant right in the center by doing just a quick google search. I didn't expect much, but once we stepped in I was amazed. Zagat describes the Icon Grill quite well: "The “tricked‑out”, “quirky” blown‑glass‑and‑knickknack–filled setting at this Downtown American comfort‑fooder reads “beautiful” to some and “over‑the‑top” to others..."

Lunch next day was at Veggie Grill. I got their Santa Fe Chikn' Burger served with guacamole salsa and cole slaw. Doesn't look like much, but it was absolutely delicious. It was my first time in this chain and I'll definitely be back.

Our last dinner we had at Wild Ginger, just two blocks from our hotel. I was happy to learn that they had separate vegan menu for people like me. For appetizers I had these Buddha Rolls that were served cold. I had hoped they were warm so I was a bit disappointed. Husband actually liked them more than I did.

For main course I had Vietnamese tofu and tomatoes. Very good with the fresh herbs and not overcooked tomatoes. Yummy!

Seattle definitely had some great options for vegetarians and vegans. I used sites like Vegan Seattle and Happy Cow to search my options. Another thing I have to mention is the level of service we received in every place was beyond amazing. So much more sincere than in the East Coast. Every server we had was fabulous. Go Seattle!

"A man who views the world the same at fifty as he did at twenty has wasted thirty years of his life."

I've heard one of my closest friends talk about grits for years now and had no idea what they were or how they looked like, but I certainly did not expect this! :) Those veggies made it pretty good, but it didn't make my list of favorite foods...